Luanda, Angola, 23 May – The Angolan government is set to invest US$4 million to re-launch light aircraft airline Sociedade de Aviação Ligeira (SAL), which has been at a standstill for around five years, Transport Minister, Augusto Tomás said in Luanda.

Tomás, who was speaking after a visit to the company’s facilities, said that the amount would be invested in the acquisition and operability of aircraft, refurbishing facilities and improving the social conditions of workers.

The chairman of the board of SAL, Eugênio Amado, said that the amount invested in the company would make it possible, initially, to start flights to Benguela, Cabinda, Lubango, Kwanza Norte, Kwanza Sul, Waku-Kungo, Mbanza Congo and Zaire provinces.

During his visit, Tomás walked through teh aircraft maintenance, operations and administrative sectors, in order to see the current state of the company.

SAL currently has six aircraft, one of which is grounded and five which are being refurbished, three in South Africa and two in Luanda.

SAL was founded on 13 February 1992 and its shareholders are Angolan state airline Taag, with 51 percent, and Sociedade Nacional de Diamantes de Angola (Endiama), with 49 percent. (macauhub)